Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”
It’s funny how when you love someone your interests can change to match the one you care about. Getting to know others in an intimate way is exciting and eye opening. You learn to experience the things they enjoy, eat the foods they like, and develop passions that they hold dear. This happens with human companions, but it also happens even more with the Lord!
I have loved having children for many reasons. But one thing I never expected was to be challenged in my likes and dislikes. I probably would have been a very predictable and boring person if I had not had so much input from five very different individuals. I am so much better for it!
Throughout the years, I was introduced to the finer points of football when my 9-year old son, Luke, sat down to draw diagrams and explain some of the plays. My vivacious and adventurous daughter, Emily, convinced me to join her in getting a second ear piercing, which pushed my conservative limits. John-Keith broke me away from the all-consuming world of basketball to enjoy the thrill of seeing him excel in drama and singing. Abigail has inspired me with her love of reading and her ability to write. And I am very thankful that Nathan, at the age of 6 or 7, introduced me to the world of ornithology when he announced that he was now a “birder.” I can still see that little guy crouching by the garden intent on drawing the little killdeer that had made a nest among the vegetation.
Intently loving people draws us to their interests. That is why when we delight ourselves in the Lord He will give us the desires of our hearts. It is not that he hands us everything we ever thought we wanted, but that He molds our heart to look like His. As we grow in our love and relationship with Him we begin to love what He loves, hate what He hates, and desire what He desires.
Reaching the world with God’s plan of salvation becomes a passion. Caring and ministering for people in need gives us great joy. Disciplining others and helping them grow in their relationship with the Lord is a real blessing. All of these unnatural human attributes and more begin to fill us and drive our very existence.
You know what one of the greatest things is? As your children and other people get to know you, they will see your passion for God. This and your love for them will draw them to the Lord as well.
Who do you love dearly and find great pleasure in? These people will change your life. So make sure that first and foremost you delight yourself in the Lord. If you do He will give you the desires of your heart – and those desires will change the world.
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